Roschon Johnson hasn't practiced over the last few days. Suddenly, the depth situation at running back is looking precarious. The Chicago Bears may have to start thinking about alternatives if Johnson's situation doesn't improve anytime soon. While there aren't any definitive starters on the free agent market this time of year, there are usually one or two notable names with a history. Sure enough, the Bears brought in a familiar face, somebody with ties to head coach Ben Johnson, for a workout.
That is Jamaal Williams.
This is an interesting development. Williams last played for Johnson in 2022. That season, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns. It was his only 1,000-yard season, too. Unfortunately, it's been a mess since leaving as a free agent the following year. Williams missed games with injuries and averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in two years with the New Orleans Saints. At 30 years old, many feel he is likely out of gas. Still, there might be hope that a reunion with Johnson can recapture some of that magic from three years ago.
The Chicago Bears might be doing some homework.
Right now, there is no reason to think Roschon won't return within the next few days. He has no history of injury issues and is known for his toughness. Working out Williams might be the way the Chicago Bears gather information in case they have to make a move later. They wanted to gauge his mental and physical readiness. Teams do it more often than you think. If nothing else, this should tell you how the Bears feel about their overall depth. It isn't as good as they might've preferred. Sadly, that is the reality of the NFL. Sometimes you don't have the number of bodies you'd wish. In those situations, keeping tabs on the veteran market is essential.
